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Baby Food

It's a good idea to introduce your baby to lots of different flavours, as eating habits are formed in early life. Also cooking food yourself will help them to adapt to family meals when they are older. Use ingredients that are as fresh as possible, low in sugar, low in salt (no salt before the child is 1 year old) and low in animal fat.

The UK department of health advises:-
"Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for infants. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months (26 weeks) of an infant's life as it provides all the nutrients a baby needs."

If you feel your baby needs solid foods before 6 months then consult your health visitor or GP. It's important not to put your baby on solid foods too soon as his/her digestive system won't be fully developed.

If you are unable to breastfeed, then formula milk should be used in preference to cows milk until your baby is at least 1 year old although cows milk can be used in food. Milk is the best and most natural food for babies.

Don't forget to check out the Healthy Start programme if you're on benefits to get vouchers towards your babys milk and food.

Check out the Department of Healths  Guide to Weaning.

Best First Fruit and Vegetables for babies

• Apple
• Pear
• Papaya (doesn't require cooking)
• Banana (doesn't require cooking)
• Carrot
• Potatoe
• Swede
• Parsnip
• Pumpkin
• Butternut squash
• Sweet Potatoe

Amazon do some good recipe books for babies.

High-Risk foods for young babies

• Cows milk & dairy produce
• Nuts & seeds
• Eggs
• Citrus fruit
• Liver
• Wheat-based products
• Fish (especially shellfish)
• Chocolate

Finger Food

• cooked carrot sticks
• cooked green beans
• bread
• apple
• banana

See first tastes for baby.

The Soil Association recommend feeding babies organic produce especially under the age of 1. Click here to read their recommendation.

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